April 22, 2008

I decided to make some cut-out cookies for two reasons. First and foremost, I needed to redeem myself after the somewhat disastrous lemon tartlets. Secondly, I just got my new cookie cutters in the mail and was really itching to try them out.

Serendipitously (yes, I said it)(and yes, it’s a real word), I began scanning my reader only to find that one of my new favorite blogs had just posted a recipe for shortbread cookies.

[Completely random tangent: The word “serendipity” always makes me think of the movie Serendipity, which makes me think of John Cusack. I love John Cusack. He’s so quick-witted and sarcastic and articulate and enjoyable. Okay, digression complete.]

The only real change I made was to add a little cinnamon to the dough; I just couldn’t help myself. For shapes, I used cute little hearts and...

...sheep. Yes, sheep. You see, folks, the bride and groom are inherently and undeniably connected to sheep. They met at a sheep convention, he raises sheep on his farm, and the bride-to-be has been a sheep-lover her entire life. If I ever have a question about sheep, she’s my go-to woman.

For these reasons, I really, really wanted to incorporate sheep into one of the desserts that I’m making. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think cupcakes made with ground lamb sounds like a winning dessert. So, when I saw sheep-shaped cookie cutters on Amazon, I ordered them immediately.

To ice the ovine, I made a simple glaze out of milk and powdered sugar. [Funny story—I bought a bottle of white icing when I was in Kansas, but it got unceremoniously trashed when I went through security at the airport. ICING, for crying out loud. I still get riled up just thinking about it.] I used a black decorating gel for the eyes. Next time, I think I’ll glaze the entire sheep and then add the eye.

Coincidentally I just made some shortbread yesterday ;) They are my all time favorite cookie. I appreciate that they are egg free, very light and delicate and not very sweet. They are a very "grace-full" cookie.

I truly feel shortbread is ideal for a wedding. You can vary shortbread in any number of ways. For instance I make a:

Love the sheep shaped cookie cutters, I really do, so cute! And as an idea for finger desserts (you know, like finger foods!) you should check out Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy. She posted about mini filo cups recently and also mini yogourt cakes, both really cute. I'll try and think up some more things, I didn't see your post about the wedding before. :)

Everyone's commenting on the cookies [which are wonderful, by the way--it's almost lunch and you've turned me into a drooling mess]. I'd like to comment on the digression. John Cusack is amazing. I mean, Say Anything... High Fidelity... and possibly my favorite Cusack film, Gross Pointe Blank. Okay, now I want cookies and a movie for lunch.

Love the sheep. Went crazy looking for a sheep cutter just like yours last year, and ended up using a flower (they were cute too-wish I could post a pic). Now I'm going to Amazon to find one for next spring.Oh...and John Cusack?? Grosse Pointe Blank is my fav! How nonchalant can you get? Two dollars!!!